_ Tas. 7459, mee 
STERNBERGIA maorantaa. 
Native of Western Asia. 
Nat. Ord. AMARYLLIDEZ.—Tribe AMARYLLEA. 
Genus Srernpercia, Waldst. et Kit.; (Benth. & Hook. f. Gen. Plant. vol. iii. 
p. 721.) 
STERNBERGIA macrantha; cormo globoso magno tunicis exterioribus mem- 
branaceis brunneis, foliis hysteranthiis vernalibus loratis obtusis sub- 
erectis glaucescentibus obscure carinatis, floribus autumnalibus luteis 
inodoris, pedunculo brevi occulto, spatha membranacea univalvi inferne 
cylindrica apice fissa, perianthii tubo cylindrico elongato, limbi lobis 
oblongis subacutis tubo longioribus, staminibus limbo duplo brevioribus, 
fructu oblongo, seminibus globosis. 
S. macrantha, J. Gay in Balans. Plant. Orient. Ezsicc. 1855, No. 827. 
Baker Handb. Amaryll. p. 33. 
S. Clusiana, Boiss. Fl. Orient. vol. v. p. 148, non Ker. 
S. stipitata, Boiss. et Haussk. Fl. Orient., vol. v. p. 148. 
S. grandiflora, Boiss. in Kotschy Plant. Cilic. Exrsicc. No. 344. 
S. latifolia, Boiss. et Haussk. Pl. Orient. Exsicc. 1867. 
This is much the finest of all the Sternbergias, and 
although it is widely distributed in a wild state, extending 
from Smyrna eastward to the west of Persia, and southward 
to Jerusalem and the Sinaitic peninsula, it has only been 
recently introduced into cultivation. From the familiar 
S. lutea it differs in its larger flowers, long perianth-tube, 
and the leaves being produced in spring, instead of with 
the flowers in autumn. At Kew it was received in a living 
state for the first time in 1894 from Mr. E. J. Whittall of 
Smyrna, to whom the Royal Gardens are indebted for so 
many rare and interesting bulbous plants. It has grown 
successfully, both in a sheltered border, in the open air, 
and in pots in acool conservatory. It is so fine a plant 
that no doubt it will become generally popular. 
Descr.—Corm large, globose ; outer tunics membranous, 
brown, extending three or four inches above its neck. 
Leaves about eight in a rosette, produced in spring, 
lorate, obtuse, suberect, finally a foot long, and 
nearly an inch broad. Peduncle short, hidden inside the 
Fesrvary Ist, 1896. oe : 
